Garden State Equality Action Fund has condemned the ad campaign launched by Republican Jack Ciattarelli targeting Representative Mikie Sherrill’s support for LGBTQ inclusive lessons and resources. The Action Fund said the ad “….is a desperate attempt to revive Jack’s long record of attacking LGBTQ+ New Jerseyans – built on blatant misinformation and the same tired, debunked tropes we’ve heard for years.”
Ciattarelli’s campaign has had messaging that stigmatizes LGBTQ school curricula, says a press release. It said the ad includes misleading references to “teaching sodomy in elementary school.” Ciattarelli has pledged to “roll back the LGBTQ+ curriculum,” said the Action Fund.
New Jersey has a long-standing requirement that schools teach LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum, which passed the New Jersey legislature with bipartisan majority votes in 2019.
This latest ad comes on the heels of an already well-established record, says GSE. They said he has voted against marriage equality and has stated that civil unions were “adequate” substitutes. Ciattarelli has opposed gender marker updates on identity documents and has made inflammatory and inaccurate statements regarding transgender and LGBTQ people. GSE Action Fund says this has contributed to harmful rhetoric in public discourse.
In contrast, Rep. Mikie Sherrill has built a pro-LGBTQ record — including votes for marriage equality, federal non-discrimination protections, and access to gender-affirming care.
“Once again, Jack Ciattarelli is resorting to fear-mongering and misinformation rather than standing up for the full dignity of LGBTQ+ New Jerseyans,” said Brielle Winslow-Majette, Deputy Director of GSE. “His history of voting against marriage equality, opposing basic protections for trans youth, and calling out LGBTQ+ curricula as ‘sodomy’ demonstrates a willingness to roll back decades of progress. New Jersey deserves leaders who uplift children — not weaponize our identities for political gain. (Hate had no place here in the garden state)”
“Jack Ciattarelli is running the Trump playbook by stoking fear, sowing division, and trying to erase LGBTQ+ historical figures from our classrooms,” said Christian Fuscarino, Executive Director of GSE. “The truth is inclusive lessons save lives. Studies show they cut down bullying and make every student safer. While Ciattarelli clings to politics of hate, we’re organizing, fighting back, and standing with Rep. Sherrill and every family that wants their kids to learn acceptance, history, and the full story of America.”
For more information and a voters guide read the latest from GSE at gardenstateequality.org
